Pyjamas and Fluffy Socks…

You may have seen across our channels over the past few weeks we have been promoting our Pyjamas and Fluffy Socks campaign. We are pleased to report that the campaign had a HUGE response and we are so very grateful to every individual and organisation that took the time and money to support this appeal.

All donated items will be wrapped and distributed to children who access care services across the county and who need these items the most over these winter months.

Image 1: hvoss team members dressed in pyjamas and nightwear around a collection box inside hvoss office

Image 2: hvoss team members gather around a donation box wearing dressing gowns and smiling enthusiastically

Image 3: the hvoss collection stall at Hereford town centre market. Karen stands to one side wearing a pink onesie and holding flyers

hvoss and NMITE

hvoss and NMITE European Union Social Fund team collaborated on the 1^st November for ‘How to develop and diversity Community sector income streams” attended by over forty people at the Courtyard Theatre. The workshop delivered by David Williams, Enterprise Development Associate, engaged the audience in key themes, practices and the mindset required. Following the event, we have continued to work together and are preparing for an event in the New Year… Watch this space for more information. (Scroll down for news from NMITE)

BBO and Age UK

Our Building Better Opportunities (BBO) volunteers have been working collaboratively recently with Age UK in Ross on Wye. This wonderful, inclusive project has involved Visually Impaired participants training Age UK volunteers in Accessible Technologies and awareness of Visual Impairments, to enable them to support their clients with sight loss.

At The Larruperz Centre, Louise and Tony ran a professional and informative training session, looking at using different software and apps for the phone, explaining the basics of how they work. They also looked at useful resources, aids and talking book readers.

Tony then ran a session using Sim Specs, to simulate different VI conditions to raise awareness and discussed further support from specialist agencies such as Vision Links, who kindly lent us the Sim Specs and the RNIB.

Many thanks to Helen and Alison from Age UK in Ross, for inviting us and working together on this project.

Image 1: BBO Participants Louise and Tony waiting at a bus stop

Image 2: Mandy Furniss, BBO Project Lead with Louise and Tony outside The Larruperz Centre

Image 3: Louise leads a workshop with Age UK volunteers around a laptop

It’s December – time to Count Your Hours

As we enter and new month we continue to encourage volunteers from across the county to Count Your Hours. In the last 5 months over 17,500 hours have been recorded but we know this is just part of the picture.

If you volunteer your times and skills as a Trustee, member of a Parish Council or in a traditional volunteering role, we want to hear from you. Likewise, if you manage volunteer team members we would love for you to enter their volunteered hours using this very short and easy form.

Co-op launches Future Communities Fund

An exciting new fund for charities building fairer communities of the future

We believe co-operation is at the heart of strong communities and this makes us a different kind of funder. 

Our Future Communities Fund will focus on supporting voluntary organisations passionate about helping us achieve our Future Communities Vision, created by young people. This, in turn, will help us deliver on Co-op’s vision of ‘Co-operating for a Fairer World’. 

In this first round of funding we’ll look to support organisations building communities that are: 

• Diverse, equitable and inclusive, and 
• Prioritising youth activism, shared power and transparent governance 
• Our fund will offer unrestricted grants of up to £30,000 per year for up to five years. 

The Weston Charity Awards

Do you lead a charity working in the fields of Community, Environment, Welfare, or Youth? Are you based in the North or Midlands of England, or Wales? Do you have at least one paid full-time member of staff in a leadership position and an income of less than £5 million per year?

Then you could be eligible for a package of support including an unrestricted grant, worth just over £22,000. This help for charities is more vital than ever as the cost-of-living crisis escalates.

Applications close on the 6 January 2023.

Social Enterprise Boost Fund launched on 30 November

DCMS has launched the competition for the Social Enterprise Boost Fund. 

£4.1 million will provide support to social enterprises in disadvantaged areas, such as training, networking and peer learning, including £1.5million of grants for entrepreneurs to kickstart their enterprises.

Government sees how vital social enterprises are to the local community, and wants to ensure that any support is locally-led by social enterprise experts, sharing their knowledge with those entrepreneurs just starting out.

DCMS and The Campaign to End Loneliness launch digital hub

DCMS and The Campaign to End Loneliness have launched a digital hub to create a community for professionals working to reduce loneliness.

The Hub enables members to connect with others who are also working to reduce loneliness, share the latest research and insight on what works and attend events and workshops.

The Tackling Loneliness Hub is open to all professionals, including frontline delivery professionals, national policy advisors, academic researchers, and Local Authorities in England whose work supports a reduction in loneliness as well as those who would like to learn more about how their work could do so.

Herefordshire Community Foundation – Fuel Poverty Appeal

As fuel, energy and food costs continue to rise, many are facing a tough winter.

Herefordshire Community Foundation are raising funds for those most in need, helping vulnerable households to stay warm, and community warm spaces. Since 2021 we have given over 250 warm home awards, more than £80,000.

The current crisis impacts everyone but lower income households are hit hardest. In Herefordshire 17% of households are already considered fuel poor, this is likely to rise to a nearly 30% this winter.

How can you help?

• Donate your winter fuel allowance
• Donate your £400 energy rebate. You could do it over six months to match the monthly amount, £66/month. Or just a percentage of that?
• Or just whatever you feel you can afford or spare.

Herefordshire Big Economic Plan

Herefordshire has some long term economic challenges, but also huge opportunities. We want to consider what kind of place we want the county to be, what kind of jobs we want for local people, and how we attract the investment we need. Its intended the Big Economic Plan will create a shared 2050 vision for the county, and 5 year delivery pleas to achieve it. The survey is an opportunity into shaping the vision, and how the county as a whole will work together going forward. Find out more by clicking the link below.

NMITE – Springboard Early Career Leadership Programme

NMITE have launched a fantastic offer to the sector by announcing –Springboard Early Career Leadership Programme, FREE for Herefordshire’s Third Sector Organisations (Fully funded by the European Social Fund).

The Springboard programme is a 12-month course, featuring 84 hours of in-depth training spread over 12 all-day workshops. It provides individuals from smaller organisations with ongoing development opportunities.

Participants can expect to enhance their skills in the following areas:

•            Working with others

•            Resilience

•            Communicating confidently

•            Problem solving and decision making

•            Harnessing creativity

•            Project management

•            How organisations work

•            Customers, opportunities, and value

•            Presentation skills

•            Goal setting and reflection

•            Leadership

•            Career planning and management

Participants will gain access to a supportive, like-minded network of other local professionals and develop a broad range of leadership skills to prepare them for the next stage of their career.

Eligibility

You identify a graduate or career shifter within your organisation for further training (or self-nominate!)

We provide over the course a year a series of monthly professional development workshops alongside networking and social activities. If you, or any of your colleagues are interested in this opportunity, please email [email protected] for more information.

National Grid

The National Grid has a priority register so that in the event of a power cut, registered households will be given priority to remain connected to the grid. It's free to register. 

We know that some people need a little extra help, which is why we offer priority support to those who need it.

By registering for our Priority Service Register, you’ll get extra support during a power cut if you need it. Our Priority Service Register is suitable for elderly, very ill or disabled people, or those who rely on power for medical equipment.

If you’re self-isolating, we can provide priority support even if you’re not on our register. You’ll need to call us or email us and explain your situation, and we’ll do our best to help during a power cut.

Did you know Membership to hvoss is free?

hvoss is your local community and voluntary sector support service. We provide invaluable information, guidance and support to volunteers or people interested in volunteering, community groups, charities, voluntary organisations and individuals in Herefordshire.

We also represent the community sector through our members, including developing constructive discussion, commissioning arrangements and partnership working on members’ behalf with stakeholders, all of whom are committed to a strong and resilient community in the county. 

Becoming an hvoss Member

Membership of hvoss is open to any individual, community group or organisation who shares these values and is keen to work together and promote the value of the community and voluntary sector in our county.

These are challenging and difficult times for our sector, so hvoss offers you the opportunity to be part of an organisation that will represent your views and concerns and advocate on your behalf with stakeholders, including the local authority and health.

From April 2021 to March 2023, membership of hvoss is free

As an hvoss member you will also be able to access benefits, resources and specialist knowledge that will support you, your organisation, community group or charity.